Dubai does not figure in new A1 GP season

Dubai: Dubai has dropped off the A1 Grand Prix calendar for the 2006-2007 season.

The 11-round series made a stop at the Dubai Autodrome in December last year, but will not return in the new season which flags-off at Zandvoort, The Netherlands on Sunday.

Germany, Portugal and the US are also missing from this year's 12-race championship, while China is the only country to host two races - round three in Beijing and round 11 in Shanghai.

The series will also be visiting new destinations, starting with the Circuit Park at Zandvoort.

Other new venues Brno, Czech Republic, hosting the second round, and Taupo, New Zealand, the sixth.

The first season was planned for 12 rounds (24 races, with two each weekend. However, only 11 races were staged.

At the final race of the season in Shanghai, Team France were crowned the first-ever A1 Grand Prix world champions with 172 points.

Switzerland were second with 121 followed by A1 Team Great Britain third with 97 points.

Three new teams, from Singapore, Turkey and Greece, have been confirmed so far for the new season, while teams from Austria, Japan, Portugal and Russia are not returning.

Meanwhile, the promising Jos Verstappen will not be competing in the 2006 season due to non-agreement between driver and team.

The organisers are concerned that the decision has come just days ahead of the season opener at Circuit Park Zandvoort.

Zandvoort local Jeroen Bleekemolen, who also represented A1 Team Netherlands throughout the first season, will be Verstappen's replacement. "The A1GP is on track to deliver the exciting season opener that has always been promised," stated A1GP CEO Bruce Holmes.

The A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport was established by Shaikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum last year.

It is unique in that competitors represent nations and not constructors, which is the case in Formula One racing.

The series is ratified and regulated by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and its races are held in the traditional F1 off season.

All teams race identical cars with identical engines and no electronic driver aids. Performance is determined by human bravery, skill and excellence.

2006 calendar
1. October 1: Circuit Park Zandvoort (The Netherlands)
2. October 8: Auto Motodrom Brno (Czech Republic)
3. November 12: Beijing (China)
4. November 26: Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia)
5. December 10: Sentul (Indonesia)*
6. January 21: Taupo (New Zealand)
7. February 4: Eastern Creek (Australia) **
8. February 25: Durban (South Africa)
9. March 18: Brazil*
10. March 25: Mexico City (Mexico)
11. April 15: Shanghai International Circuit (China)
12. April 29: Brands Hatch (Great Britain)

Note: * Venue subject to approval
** Subject to reaching a satisfactory agreement for support of the event